Overview
- Union minister Nitin Gadkari formally inaugurated the Rs 641 crore Porvorim elevated corridor on Wednesday and officials say it will open to vehicular traffic on Friday at 4pm.
- The structure covers 5.15 km on NH66 with a 4.19 km flyover and 960 m of approaches, 87 box‑girder spans, 1,431 precast segments and 530 piles installed to depths up to 50 metres to meet local geotechnical conditions.
- Goa’s PWD projects daily use of about 75,000–80,000 vehicles, with authorities expecting the flyover to relieve surface congestion between Panaji and Mapusa and improve access to Mopa Airport and popular beaches.
- Gadkari used the opening to accuse contractors and officials of delaying the wider Mumbai–Goa Highway, said the highway is roughly 93–94% complete, pledged an October on‑road inspection, and warned of punitive action.
- Construction required built‑up‑area work including relocation of a temple, removal or transplanting of hundreds of trees, and court cases, and the minister announced complementary measures such as green‑highway features and new observatory towers on the Zuari Bridge.